When the world feels too heavy, when the blank page looks like a sky without stars—what do we do? Aimee Nezhukumatathil invites writers to consider what the night creatures already know: that darkness is not absence, but invitation. Through a fresh look at nocturnal animals and bioluminescent beings as teachers, this talk encourages and gives concrete tips on how to keep creating, how to keep glowing, even when light feels far away. This talk will remind writers that their unique voices are necessary glimmers in the larger constellation of literature, and that resilience often looks like sitting still long enough to notice what begins to glow.

Taking inspiration from Mary Oliver's poem, "The Summer Day," we will look to the outdoors for observation and inspiration for several new poem drafts. 

If you can’t be at the 2026 Festival in person, sign up to participate in Aimee’s Craft Talk online. Register here, and you’ll receive an email with a link to the Zoom call the morning of the event.